Joe Dooley’s Pirates fell behind 9-0 to a Cincinnati basketball team that was knocking on the AP Top 25’s door at 12-2 on the season. Add in the fact that the Pirates were coming off a miserable road loss at Southern Methodist, and this East Carolina team had every opportunity to pack it in and try another day. Dooley settled his young team down. His Pirates might not win … [Read more...]

What a difference a year makes at East Carolina University. Compher exits for Jon Gilbert’s arrival. Montgomery exits for Mike Houston’s arrival. Lebo exits for Joe Dooley’s arrival. Macy exits for Chad Killinger’s short interim stay, leading to Nicole Mealing’s new role as acting women’s coach. You had better not blink or you’ll certainly miss something. All of … [Read more...]

New East Carolina head football coach Mike Houston will unveil his first signing class on Wednesday. The Pirate coach has certainly hit the pavement hard. “I think this is the second night that I’ve spent the night in Greenville,” said Houston on Saturday. “We are getting set to sign a very good recruiting class, one that is especially strong from the local … [Read more...]

Rock band Thin Lizzy had a hit song in the mid ‘70s with "The Boys are Back in Town." The band certainly wasn’t talking about coaches returning with the hit, but that’s what it feels like at East Carolina. New ECU coach Mike Houston has made Donnie Kirkpatrick, Steve Shankweiler and Dale Steele part of his new staff. All three have Pirate ties, making this a most unique … [Read more...]

Mike Houston looks like he was chiseled into a likeness of Knute Rockne. Early word is that his pregame speeches are even better than 'Win one for the Gipper.’ Houston agreed to become East Carolina’s 22nd football coach on Sunday afternoon. By Monday he was in Greenville meeting with the Pirate football team and selected ECU donors. Earlier Monday ECU had introduced Jon … [Read more...]